Elon Musk criticized Biden's tariffs on Chinese electric cars

Mr. Musk says anything that impedes free exchange or distorts markets is “not good”; Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

Elon Musk criticized Joe Biden's plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles made in China, despite the fact that Tesla could potentially benefit from the tax.

G Musk said at a technology conference in Paris that he preferred «no tariffs» when asked how the US president's recent policies would affect Tesla.

Earlier this month, Biden said he would also raise import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles from 25% to 100%. such as increasing taxes on components such as batteries.

The move could help Tesla, America's largest seller of electric vehicles, and protect it from competitors such as BYD, a Chinese manufacturer that has threatened to dramatically undermine Musk's company.

“Neither Tesla nor I asked for this. tariffs, I was surprised when they announced,” Musk said at the Viva Tech conference. 

“Tesla competes quite well in the Chinese market without tariffs and differentiated support, in general I am for the absence of tariffs. I'm also really in favor of no tax breaks for electric vehicles, provided that tax breaks for oil and gas should also be eliminated.

“I am for no tariffs and no incentives for electric vehicles. vehicles or for oil and gas, and if they were all taken away, I think it would be for the better. Things that impede free exchange or distort the market are not good.”

Mr. Musk, a frequent critic of Mr. Biden, has benefited from the administration's big incentives for electric vehicles.

China accused the White House of «undermining fair trade and environmental protection» after confirming the tariffs last week. He has threatened to retaliate, although it is unclear whether this could impact US carmakers such as Tesla.

Companies such as BYD charge less than $10,000 (£7,870) for their cheapest cars in China sterling), significantly lower than Western manufacturers.< /p>

Mr Musk is keen to maintain good relations with Beijing and recently visited China in an attempt to win approval for Tesla's self-driving system. The company's sales in the country have suffered in recent months due to growing competition.

Tesla recently said it would accelerate plans to produce a cheaper mass-market vehicle that would be better able to compete with Chinese rivals. However, the company is increasingly focusing on self-driving car technology and is expected to unveil a fully autonomous «robotaxi» in August.

European industry data earlier this week showed Tesla sales in the UK and Europe have fallen . by 8% in the first four months of the year.